Uniwill 258KA0 Bios updates

[tonykn]

My machine is currently in the workshop being repaired for the second time in 2 weeks having had the motherboard allegedly replaced on the first occasion.
I note from your list of serial numbers / original equipment numbers that the Uniwill number is a 258KA2 though its sticker says it is a 258KA0.

An attempt at Bios update was made only after the machine went wrong. It was still possible to get the machine working afterwards, the problem relates to the machine not posting at times and on other occasions just switching itself off.

On attempting to use the indicated Uniwill Bios updates (they go to revision 5; revision 3 is currently on the machine) the Bios update would not even start and reported an error. (This was the version 4 upgrade). The version 5 Bios when checked using their checksum utility gave the wrong checksum, I have faxed them about this and have not had the courtesy of an acknowledgement or reply.
Please contact Uniwill and bring this to their attention.

Version 5 addresses issues relating to video I believe.

I am very annoyed by this, you should provide accurate information about the machines you sell. Upgrading a BIOS is hardly rocket science but is impossible / dangerous if the user is given the wrong information, in such a case any liability would, I believe, rest with you for giving incorrect support information.
I suspect that the Bios update did not proceed either because the bios itself is the cause of the problem with the machine or the update is incorrect for your revision of the system. If the latter then you should ensure that your users are aware NOT to use the bios updates to which this site refers; if you are using a custom BIOS then you should ensure this is properly supported.

Can you clarify what, if any, BIOS updates are available. If your machines are a specific revision of the Uniwill setup then you should make that clear.

I look forward to your reponse.
Tony

[tonykn]

Why no reply?

Having correct info re BIOS updates would we useful I would have thought.

Obviously I am wrong. :evil:

[Coops]

Tony

Infact the information we have supplied is correct and also what Uniwill have provided is correct.

In order to understand my meaning a little bit of explanation is required. Uniwill produce a base chassis design this for example is called 258KA0. Now uniwill do not produce for end user. They produce for Reseller / System Intergrators such as Novatech.
Now when we buy 258KA0 Chassis from Uniwill we will specify certain other options we might like in addition to base. In order for uniwill to identify this for us the last digit changes so for example 258KA2. The unit is still based on 258KA0. Because you bought the unit from us and not Uniwill they are not going to list every different version of every chassis they do as they would repeat themselves over and over where the same Base chassis design is used to make several different configurations. So they list the base design and as a Uniwill customer we are told which BIOS to use with which design. Obviously you are a Novatech customer and it is up to us to advise you which is the correct files to use with what you bought from us.

Now all that being said the 258KA0 bios is the correct BIOS to use if you have a 258KAx series chassis ( x = 0-9 )

Please can you provide the exact cmd line you used to flash the BIOS and also what the exact error was when you tried to flash as this is the correct BIOS so you should have not had an issue as long as correct cmd line was used to upload BIOS to rom.

[tonykn]

Thanks for the answer.

I followed the exact instructions as detailed on the Uniwill website.
The checksum for the latest bios did not work, it produced the wrong result. The previous version had a correct checksum and I think the error reported was EE but I can't be sure.

I now have my machine back, it was the CPU that was faulty... maybe that interfered with the attempted BIOS upgrade?

I will dig out the command that I used.

As the computer does not have a floppy drive a created a bootable CD based on the method shown on the Bart PE site, do you have any better solution for creating bootdiscs in the absence of a floppy drive?

Tony

[Coops]

We do our BIOS load from CD as well using Bootable CD code that was made in House.

Please provide the cmd you used that way we can make sure it is right cause if its not perfectly right it will fail.
I have tested the BIOS from the site and it flashes fine here.

Regards

[tonykn]

As it says in the HOW TO FLASH THE BIOS text, using a Bart PE boot disc
the command used was F82745 258ka5.104
I got my machine back last night, BTW the BIOS was updated but still it does not work.
You now have the machine back for the third time. Not POSTing so I suspect it is a faulty board that is causing the problems.
I think, understandably, I was angry when I dropped it off.
I did not realize that Trading Standards require a customer to keep quiet when returning goods! Anyway I then reversed the car into your solid metal posts by the door! So the moral of the tale is "don't lose your temper"!
Of course if the company had fixed the machine on the first two occasions I returned it then it would not have happened :)

I copy below the relevant part of the Uniwill text.

Tony

NB The checksum for the latest bios remains incorrect, this should be corrected.

A. Under MS-DOS

1. UPDATING SYSTEM BIOS
Make sure the AC adapter is connected to your notebook before you run this utility.

2-1. Create a MS-DOS Bootable floppy disk. Under Windows 98, the following command will create a bootable floppy: "sys a:"

2-2. Copy following files into Boot Disk:

f82734.exe and XXXXX.rom (System BIOS File)

3-3. Boot from the Boot Disk. If you do not have a USB floppy drive, you can create a bootable CD using Nero or Easy CD Creator on a different computer. At MS-DOS prompt A:\> type:

f82734 XXXXX.rom then press Enter key. XXXXX.rom is simply the generic name. Your actual file will be named differently. You must type the entire name of the BIOS ROM file. Please note the utility name f82743 may be named slightly different as well depending on your system.

3-4. Reboot the computer After system BIOS is updated, go to BIOS setup and
load DEFAULT setting.

[tonykn]

Despite exhaustive testing which revealed no faults the machine continues to lock and then refuses to post.
I have checked the hard-drive using Spinrite ( a billiant little program). On the first test the machine locked up at 70%, on the next attempt the test completed with no errors found.

On re-installing windows I find the key provided on the sticker for XP-pofessional is not correct. Not suprising because on checking it is the sticker for xp-home !

And while entering the wrong key for the third time the system locked.

So I am bringing the machine back still switched on so hopefully someone will believe the problems I am having with this door-stop.

I am entering this information here so that other users may be aware of the difficulties they may experience. For a start - check you have the right certificate of authenticity. Be extremely patient if you have an intermittent fault... it could drive you mad. :evil: